Together with your Learning Team, you will collectively create a profile of fluent leadership that draws from your own experiences as well as our course materials.
Step 1: Discovery Interviews
Each member of your team will conduct an interview with at least 1 other person who you feel embodies the traits of an effective communicator (this can be someone you currently work with or who you have worked/collaborated with in the past). You are open to creating your own questions, and to help get you started, you might consider questions such as:
When have you experienced a biased form of communication that impacted you personally (around race, ethnicity, religious belief, gender, sexual orientation, etc.) and how did you respond?
How do you work to notice the different styles and preferences of those around you? How do you react when they are different from your own?
How do you work to communicate effectively with others across cultural boundaries?
For my discovery interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with Alex, a former colleague known for their exceptional communication skills and leadership abilities. We delved into various aspects of effective communication, including experiences with biased communication, adapting to different communication styles, and bridging cultural boundaries.
One question I asked Alex was about their experience with biased communication that personally impacted them. Alex shared a poignant anecdote about a time when they encountered subtle gender bias during a project presentation. Despite their expertise and preparation, they noticed certain team members dismissing their ideas or attributing their success to luck rather than merit. Alex responded by calmly addressing the bias in a team meeting, highlighting the importance of recognizing and valuing diverse perspectives. This instance showcased Alex’s resilience and commitment to fostering an inclusive work environment.
Regarding noticing different communication styles and preferences, Alex emphasized the importance of active listening and observation. They described how they make a conscious effort to understand the communication preferences of their colleagues, such as their preferred modes of communication (e.g., email, phone calls, in-person meetings) and their communication styles (e.g., direct, indirect). When faced with differences from their own style, Alex reacts with curiosity and openness, viewing it as an opportunity to learn and adapt.
In terms of communicating across cultural boundaries, Alex shared strategies they employ to foster effective communication. They emphasized the importance of cultural sensitivity and empathy, taking the time to learn about the cultural norms and values of their colleagues. Alex described instances where they engaged in cross-cultural communication training and sought feedback from diverse team members to ensure their communication was respectful and inclusive.
Overall, my conversation with Alex provided valuable insights into the importance of self-awareness, adaptability, and empathy in effective communication. Their experiences exemplified the traits of fluent leadership, demonstrating a commitment to fostering inclusive and culturally competent communication practices.
Step 2: Create a Shared Profile of Fluent Leadership
Using the 6 traits for fluent leadership that Hyun and Lee refer to in “Flex” as a framework for your profile (1) Self and Other-Awareness; 2) Adaptability, 3) Comfort with Ambiguity and Complexity, 4) Unconditional Positive Regard, 5) Innovation, and 6) Flexing across the Power Gap), co-create a shared profile of fluent leadership using specific examples from your interviews (you can use pseudonyms to protect identities) and your own experiences to illustrate each trait. Specifically, highlight the communication practices that illustrate and embody each of these traits. Conclude your portrait with 1 – 2 additional traits beyond the list of 6 traits that your team believes are also important for demonstrating fluent leadership and why.
In crafting our shared profile of fluent leadership, we draw upon the insights gained from our discovery interviews, as well as our own experiences, to exemplify each trait outlined by Hyun and Lee in “Flex.”
Self and Other-Awareness: Alex’s example illustrates this trait vividly. By acknowledging biased communication in a project presentation and advocating for inclusive communication practices, they demonstrated a high level of self-awareness. Furthermore, their willingness to consider diverse perspectives showcased other-awareness.
Adaptability: Alex showcased adaptability in their communication approach. Their openness to learning and adapting to diverse communication styles demonstrates adaptability in action.
Comfort with Ambiguity and Complexity: Alex’s handling of complex situations with clarity and composure exemplifies comfort with ambiguity and complexity. By embracing uncertainty and encouraging creativity within their team, they foster an environment where innovative solutions can flourish.
Unconditional Positive Regard: Alex embodies this trait through their respectful and supportive communication practices. Their response to biased communication with calm assertiveness reflects a mindset of unconditional positive regard.
Innovation: Alex’s emphasis on encouraging creative thinking and problem-solving within their team exemplifies the trait of innovation. By actively seeking diverse perspectives and challenging conventional thinking, they foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.
Flexing across the Power Gap: Alex’s ability to communicate effectively across different levels of authority demonstrates flexing across the power gap. Their respectful communication and active listening enable constructive dialogue and collaboration across hierarchical boundaries.
In addition to these traits, our team believes that empathy and resilience are also essential qualities of fluent leadership. Empathy allows leaders to understand and connect with others on a deeper level, fostering trust and collaboration. Meanwhile, resilience enables leaders to navigate challenges with perseverance and adaptability, maintaining focus and positivity even in the face of adversity.
Overall, our shared profile of fluent leadership highlights the importance of self-awareness, adaptability, empathy, and resilience in fostering effective communication practices and driving positive outcomes within teams and organizations.
Complete Step 3. Use Step 1 & 2 for reference.
Step 3: Please write:
A co-authored 6 – 8 page, double-spaced, Times, 12-point font Word document that provides your learning team’s collective portrait of flexible leadership per the above directions with a minimum of 3 references. For the incorporation of references, please use the APA style guide for citations.
Resources:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephaniesarkis/2019/02/26/gender-bias-impacts-communication-and-leadership/?sh=38f27c9377ef
https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolkinseygoman/2011/11/28/how-culture-controls-communication/?sh=215288ff263b
https://workforce.com/news/by-the-numbers-diversity-in-the-workplace
****Required Reference: Flex: The New Playbook for Managing Across Differences By Jane Hyun & Audrey Lee (Attached File)
